"Who goes there, fellow Daoist?"
Above Gantang Dao, the Sea-Howling True Person of the Li Clan of Sea Harvesting turned tense the moment he saw his brilliant divine ability shattered. His expression grew solemn as he looked towards the newcomer.
Then, he saw the escaping light suddenly split apart.
An old man with white hair and a ruddy complexion emerged. Despite his age, his back was ramrod straight and his expression carried a hint of excitement, momentarily stunning the Sea-Howling True Person.
".Old Ghost of the Yun Clan?"
"What did you say!" The Yun Clan Ancestor's expression instantly darkened at those words. He revealed the [Yuan-Tu Talisman] in his hand, and the dazzling sword qi from earlier reappeared.
Meanwhile, the Sea-Howling True Person let out a sigh.
In that moment of sighing, he loosened his grip on a hidden trump card within his sleeve, and the killing intent in his heart instantly faded by ninety percent.
After all, this was a True Person from the Sword Pavilion!
Unless they were prepared to flee beyond the Jiangbei River, even if the Li Clan dared to show no courtesy or even drive the other party away, they would never dare to kill him.
"What brings Daoist Yun to my Li Clan?"
The Sea-Howling True Person spoke calmly. Behind him, Gantang Dao burst into dazzling radiance, weaving into a formation that once again manifested an endless emerald sea behind him.
Because the opponent had made a high-profile entrance, even striking a stunning sword from the start, he hadn't initially considered it might be the Yun Clan Ancestor, making him naturally surprised. But once he realized it was indeed the Yun Clan Ancestor who had struck, he quickly regained his composure.
'This old thing's abilities—I'm not unaware!'
'A silver spearhead—flashy but useless! That must've been some external aid, like a spiritual treasure or a talisman used to show off!'
Faced with the Sea-Howling True Person's firm stance, the Yun Clan Ancestor immediately became enraged:
"Why have I come? Naturally to investigate the recent demonic disaster! I suspect someone in the Li Clan is colluding with the Demonic Path. Come out and face trial at once!"
As he finished, the sword qi from the [Yuan-Tu Talisman] grew even stronger.
However, how could the Sea-Howling True Person possibly agree to such an unreasonable demand? The aura around him surged violently: "Colluding with the Demonic Path? Fellow Daoist, aren't you going too far!"
Meanwhile, within the Li Clan on Gantang Dao—
As the Sea-Howling True Person stepped out to block the Yun Clan Ancestor, the Li Clan Patriarch, Li Qingyun, let out a sigh of relief. But as he turned his head, his expression froze.
Unbeknownst to him, a youth in a dark robe had suddenly appeared behind him. Hands clasped behind his back, his expression was relaxed, but the moment he appeared, it felt as if he became the very center of heaven and earth. His pitch-black eyes locked onto Li Qingyun, and his gaze pressed down like a mountain.
'Another True Person!?'
In an instant, Li Qingyun felt cold all over. Without a second thought, he knelt and bellowed in his loudest voice:
"Greetings, True Person!"
His voice exploded like thunder, yet within three feet of him it dissipated completely—no sound escaped. In return, he received only a mocking smile from the intruder. ᚱＡ𝐍Ó₿ƐṠ
Glancing around, he realized that only the space between him and the newcomer had been sealed off. Everything else appeared vague and illusory, as if nonexistent.
'Which Sword Pavilion True Person is this? Such treachery isn't like them at all!'
To Li Qingyun, Sword Pavilion True Persons were always open and upright, whether doing good or evil. No matter your tricks, they would cut through with a single sword.
But this one was entirely different!
From his actions, he had clearly used the Yun Clan Ancestor as bait to distract their True Person, then snuck in for a sneak attack!
'A beast, huh?'
Meanwhile, Lu Yang was calmly observing Li Qingyun with interest.
Direct combat was never his style. Unless absolutely necessary, he always preferred higher realm crushing lower realm, and ambushing peers.
Let the other die, not this Daoist—such was the way of a True Person of the Primordial Saint Sect.
So even though he had decided to rob the Li Clan of Sea Harvesting, out of caution he had sent the Yun Clan Ancestor ahead as cannon fodder for a probe.
And it had indeed revealed some things.
Thinking of this, a rustic bronze bell appeared in his hand. He smiled at Li Qingyun and asked, "Where did you get this item?"
Li Qingyun looked up and saw the bronze bell in Lu Yang's hand. His heart instantly sank halfway. That [Zhao Yuan Bell] was stored deep within the clan's treasury, sealed by a Foundation Establishment formation. And now, it was in this man's hand!
'No...!'
Li Qingyun's lips trembled, and he instinctively opened his mouth to explain, only to meet Lu Yang's gaze—and his consciousness instantly sank.
Golden Talent: Puppet on Strings!
Like a breeze smoothing troubled waters, all the fear and doubt in Li Qingyun's heart vanished. His once terrified expression gradually calmed.
The next second, he explained in a natural tone: "This treasure was discovered within a fragment of a cave heaven. It seems to be a key. As long as you hold it, stand at the entrance, and shake it three times, a portal will open."
".Oh?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Yang squinted: 'A fragment of a cave heaven!? How could the Li Clan be so lucky to stumble upon such a thing?'
In that instant, Lu Yang felt no delight—only a chill.
A tiny Foundation Establishment clan had found a cave heaven fragment left by a True Person and rose to power? It didn't sound right!
Could this be another trap? Was the Sword Pavilion playing tricks too?
As Lu Yang pondered, suddenly, a divine sense descended from the sky, followed by an angry shout: "Who dares intrude into my domain!?"
The next moment, the Sea-Howling True Person descended from the heavens.
Almost simultaneously, Lu Yang looked up. Not only Lu Yang, but Li Qingyun beside him, and all the members of the Li Clan within Gantang Dao did the same.
"Are you talking to me?"
The same action. The same words.
Such a simple response made the Sea-Howling True Person feel like falling into an ice cave. He looked at his familiar yet unrecognizable clansmen in disbelief.
'What sorcery is this!?'
Startled, the Sea-Howling True Person reached into his sleeve for his trump card—only to see a towering illusion manifest behind Lu Yang.
"Demon! What are you trying to do to me?"
"Sea-Howling pays respects to Master!"
Having fallen under the effects of the [Puppet on Strings], the Sea-Howling True Person showed no fear on his face. Like Li Qingyun and the other Li clansmen, his face was now filled with unwavering loyalty.
Lu Yang stood in the hall, examining the treasure the Sea-Howling True Person had just offered up—
It was another talisman, seemingly of the fire attribute, powerful at a glance, clearly the trump card he had been hiding in his sleeve.
In truth, the Li Clan of Sea Harvesting had quite a bit of hidden strength.
Besides this talisman, they had a superior spiritual treasure [Territory-Expanding Ship], and a powerful clan-protecting formation—top-tier for early Foundation Establishment.
Had Lu Yang foolishly stormed in head-on, giving the Sea-Howling True Person time to prepare and unleash all his means, he truly would've been at some risk. After all, this incarnation he used for this mission was of poor quality and couldn't withstand excessive magical output.
Gewoon een lepeltje voor het slapengaan. - 10 kg in 7 dagenOpen
'Good thing I was cautious!'
Feigning an open path while sneaking through the shadows, Lu Yang had subdued the Sea-Howling True Person before he could do anything, and with barely any effort.
"Indeed, victory lies in ambush and cross-realm strikes..."
Lu Yang murmured thoughtfully, then turned to the Sea-Howling True Person with a serious expression: "Now, tell me in detail about the cave heaven fragment your Li Clan discovered."